Election Day: Monday, October 20, 2025

Information for Candidates

These resources provide an overview of the key requirements for individuals interested in running for office in the Town of Morinville during the 2025 Municipal Election. The information presented here is general in nature and is intended as a reference to assist potential candidates.

Each candidate is solely responsible for understanding and complying with all relevant legislation governing municipal elections. Additional information and updates will be provided as they become available.

The Nomination Period is now closed. The official list of candidates for the 2025 Municipal Election in Morinville is posted under Who's Running for Council

The Candidate Information Session held on June 23, 2025 focused on the nomination process, campaign finances, disclosure statements, election signs and campaigning, election results, important dates and notable changes in legislation.

Access the Candidate Information Session Presentation
Access the Candidate Information Session Recording

Participants were invited to submit questions to elections@morinville.ca, and responses have been added to the Frequently Asked Question tab below.

 


Looking for more information? 

Alberta Municipalities and Rural Municipalities of Alberta have a series of sessions that you can register or watch the videos from. 

or Visit

Scrutineers, Candidates, or the Candidate's Official Agents are permitted in a voting station to observe the voting procedures and the counting of ballots. Those observing should review the requirements below. 

Who can be a scrutineer?

To be appointed as a scrutineer, an individual must:

  • Be at least 18 years old. 
  • Not have been convicted of an election-related offense under the Local Authorities Election ActElection Act (Alberta), Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act in the last 10 years. 

Where can scrutineers observe?

The Presiding Deputy Returning Officer (PDRO) sets aside a specific area within the voting station for scrutineers to watch election proceedings.

Scrutineers can observe at voting stations for: 

  • Election Day
  • Advance Vote
  • Care facilities where the voting station is in a common area

Scrutineers are also permitted at:

  • Counting Center - Meeting Rooms 3 to 5, Morinville Community Cultural Centre
  • Locations identified for recounts (if required)

How are scrutineers appointed?

Scrutineers are appointed by a candidate using the Scrutineer Appointment form. The form is completed and signed by the candidate before the scrutineer visits the voting station. 

Use a separate form for each scrutineer being appointed and list all the voting stations they will attend during voting hours.  

*Candidate Official Agents are appointed by a candidate including individual(s) on the Candidate's Nomination Forms.

A scrutineer keeps the signed form with them and shows it to the Presiding Deputy Returning Officer (PDRO) at each voting station and count center they visit.

Making a Statement or Oath at the voting station

When entering a voting station, a scrutineer must show their form of written undertaking mentioned above to the PDRO. A Candidate or their Official Agent may be asked to produce identification to verify identity. 

Scrutineers, Candidates, and their Official Agents will be asked by the PDRO to make a verbal statement/oath and complete the Statement of Scrutineer and Official Agent Form 16.

If a Scrutineer or Official Agent leaves and returns to the same voting station, they must show the document/form again. They do not have to repeat the Form 16. The PDRO will keep the signed Form 16 and the Scrutineer will complete this at every location they visit.

General rules for scrutineers

  • A candidate or official agent may be a scrutineer.
  • A candidate, official agent and a scrutineer cannot be in the same voting station at the same time.
  • Scrutineers are given an identification badge which must be worn while in the station and returned before leaving. 
  • Scrutineers can leave and return to a voting station during voting hours.
  • Scrutineers can be assigned more than one voting station.
  • To observe the ballot count, a scrutineer must be inside the voting station and count center before it closes and cannot leave and return while the count is in progress.

What a scrutineer CAN do


Before the voting station opens: 

  • A scrutineer may enter the voting station 15 minutes before the station opens.
  • A scrutineer may view the ballot boxes to ensure they are empty before they are sealed.

During voting hours: 

  • A scrutineer may observe the activities in the voting station.

After the voting station closes: 

  • A scrutineer may watch the counting of ballots at each table.
  • A scrutineer may make an objection to how any ballot is counted. The objection will be recorded.
  • A scrutineer may sign the Ballot Account form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a scrutineer CANNOT do

  • Take a photo or make a copy of the elector registry (Form 13 or Permanent Elector Register).
  • Interfere with the voting process. 
  • Prevent or object to an elector from voting. 
  • View an elector marking their ballot. 
  • Assist an elector to mark a ballot. An election worker can assist an elector and is sworn to secrecy.
  • Campaign inside or outside the voting station, including the parking lot.
  • Wear campaign materials such as buttons, t-shirts or hats.
  • Talk to an elector in the voting station. 
  • Touch voting materials.
  • Vouch for a person at the voting station.
  • Participate in the counting of ballots. 
  • Take phone calls inside the voting station or count centre.

Any exchange of information between the scrutineer and candidate, or official agent, must take place outside of the voting station.

No pictures or videos. To protect the privacy of electors’ personal information and the secrecy of their vote, photos and videos are not permitted in the voting station and count center at any time.

The Morinville Candidate Handbook is a guideline for any person running for municipal council.  

The Province of Alberta provides election resources and information for candidates, including a Guide - Running for Municipal Office in Alberta  and Video resources for prospective candidates.

There have been several legislation changes to the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) and the Municipal Government Act (MGA) for the 2025 Municipal Election. 

  • The LAEA provides the framework for conducting elections in Alberta municipalities, school divisions, irrigation districts, and Métis Settlements.
  • The MGA governs the roles and responsibilities of local elected officials once they are on council, as well as the administration and operation of municipal authorities in Alberta.

All candidates are encouraged to develop a working understanding of the Local Authorities Election Act, as amended.

It is recommended that candidates seek legal advice, where possible, regarding their obligations.

Alberta Municipalities and Rural Municipalities of Alberta have partnered on an awareness campaign for prospective candidates for the upcoming general election.

For school trustee information, visit the Greater St Albert Catholic Schools website or Sturgeon School Division website

Nomination Period: January 1, 2025 to 12 p.m. on September 22, 2025

Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement (deadline to file)

Form 26

March 1, 2025, for contributions in 2024 calendar year. 

NEW - September 30, 2025, for contributions received between January 1 - July 31, 2025. 

March 1, 2026, for contributions received in the 2025 calendar year

Nomination Day September 22, 2025 (closes at 12 p.m.)
Deadline to Withdraw

September 23, 2025 (12 p.m.)

Advance Voting Days

Saturday, October 11, 2025 (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Thursday, October 16, 2025 (4 p.m. - 8 p.m.)
Saturday, October 18, 2025 (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

Institutional Voting

Monday, October 20, 2025 at the following locations:
Aspen House Care Residence
Heritage Place Lodge

Only residents in these locations may cast their ballot in the Institutional Vote.

Election Day

Monday, October 20, 2025 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Removal of Election Signs

Must be removed by Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 8 p.m. (24 hours from the close of the election)

Declaration of Election results

October 24, 2025 (12 p.m.)

Council Onboarding/Orientation 

*Although the Town will endeavour to maintain these dates, depending on changing circumstances, they may change.

Thursday, October 23, 2025 (11:30am to 5:30pm)
Saturday, October 25, 2025 (9am to 5 pm)
Thursday, October 30, 2025 (9am to 4 pm)
Friday, October 31, 2025 (9am to 4 pm)
Saturday November 1, 2025 (8:30am to 4:30 pm)
Monday, November 3, 2025 (optional)
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 (12:30 to 7:00 pm)

Swearing in of Elected Officials / Inaugural Meeting

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Alberta Municipalities Convention

All Day
November 12-14, 2025

2025/26 Council Meeting Dates (After Election)*

*Dates subject to approval by new Council at Inaugural Meeting

Council Meetings - Regular Business (4 to 8 p.m.):
Tuesday, November 4 & 25, 2025
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Tuesday, January 13 & 27, 2026
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month thereafter  (some exceptions, i.e., Statutory Holidays).

Council Meetings - 2026 Budget Deliberations (4 to 8 p.m.):
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement (deadline to file)

Form 26

March 1, 2025, for contributions in 2024 calendar year. 

NEW - September 30, 2025, for contributions received between January 1 - July 31, 2025. 

March 1, 2026, for contributions received in the 2025 calendar year

Am I eligible to run for Mayor or Councillor?

Anyone considering running for office should confirm their eligibility as a first step. To be eligible, a prospective candidate must be:

    • At least 18 years of age on nomination day (September 22, 2025);
    • A Canadian Citizen;
    • A resident of Morinville for the six consecutive months immediately prior to nomination day;
    • A resident of Morinville on Election Day (October 20, 2025)
    • Not otherwise ineligible or disqualified under sections 22, 23, and 23.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA)

What is the "Register of Candidates"?

The "Register of Candidates" is a record of all candidates who have submitted a Notice of Intent to Morinville Elections, indicating they plan to seek nomination for the upcoming general election.

Once a prospective candidate’s Notice of Intent submission is complete, they can accept campaign contributions and incur campaign expenses.

Is submitting a "Notice of Intent" the same as submitting the "Nomination Package"

No. Submitting a Notice of Intent is just one step in the process and does not mean you are officially nominated or will appear on the ballot.

The Notice of Intent allows you to be added to the "Register of Candidates", enabling you to accept campaign contributions and incur expenses. To officially become a nominated candidate and appear on the ballot, you must complete the Nomination Package during the Nomination Period (January 2 to September 22, 2025). If you have already submitted a Notice of Intent, some information will be pre-filled in the Nomination Package, allowing you to skip pages 4–5.

Can I withdraw my candidacy after submitting my Nomination Package?

Yes, candidates can withdraw their nomination up to 24 hours after Nomination Day (September 23, 2025 at noon).

Do I need to pay a deposit to submit my Nomination Package?

Yes, a $100 nomination deposit is required when submitting your Nomination Package. The deposit must be paid at Morinville Civic Plaza.

The deposit is refundable if the candidate meets the criteria outlined in the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), such as:

    • Receiving at least half the votes of the candidate elected with the fewest votes.
    • Complying with all financial disclosure and filing requirements.

Further details will be provided in the Candidate Guide.

Do my nomination forms need to be commissioned or signed by the Returning Officer?

Yes, nomination forms must be commissioned before submission. Candidates can have their forms commissioned by a Commissioner for Oaths or the Returning Officer.

If you choose to have the Returning Officer commission your forms, this service is available at Morinville Civic Plaza during regular business hours by appointment only. Ensure your forms are completed and bring valid government-issued ID if required.

To book an appointment, email elections@morinville.ca.

Check Back Regularly

The information on this page is subject to change and/or additional information may be posted as it becomes available. Please consult the Local Authorities Election Act and the Municipal Elections website as a  comprehensive guide to the election and the changes within. It is the candidate’s responsibility to read and understand any election-related material. It is recommended to consult relevant statutes, regulations and bylaw(s), or obtain legal advice for clarification.

Subscribe

Stay up to date on the Town's activities, events, programs and operations by subscribing to our news.